OMG! What is this I am hearing about Pump and Dump?

Redfox - posted on 10/21/2012

Many doctors say that at the age of three months, babies can process alcohol at about the same rate as adults. So if their little livers are ready for it, why not take advantage of it?! Momma needs a drink sometimes.

Allison - posted on 07/20/2009

My lactation consultants and my pediatricians said it i perfectly fine to have a drink once in a while. Just wait a few hours after having the drink to nurse your baby. Way back they use to tell you to pump and dump, but they have found that it is not necessary as long as you wait a few hours to feed the baby after a drink. If i;m going to have a drink i wait til after he goes to bed. That way i am not nursing him again until morning.

Geneva - posted on 07/20/2009

i agree with most posters here - alcohol leaves your milk supply like it does your bloodstream - no need to pump & dump unless you are buzzed during feeding time (& most new moms will feel pretty buzzed after just half a drink, so that's not really what I mean - I guess I mean if you have more than 1-2 drinks over several hours). I went by the 1-2 drinks are ok thing until I found the strips - & they were a godsend! check out milkscreenmoms.com. they sell them at babies r us. every woman is different & how we filter alcohol is different. For myself, if I had 1 beer, i never noticed alcohol on my strips. Wine was different - maybe b/c I like red wine & some of the red wines can have a slightly higher alcohol content. Either way, moderation is the key. I also enjoyed 1 cup of coffee per day with similar rules - drink it slowly & enjoy it, don't deny yourself those little pleasures, but don't overdo it either!

Stina - posted on 07/20/2009

Relax. I stayed away from alcohol during all three of my pregnancies. Never been a huge drinker but I do enjoy a weekly glass of wine. It's a nice indulgance for me and they say in moderation, it's good for your heart. I wouldn't dream of giving mt baby tainted milk so I wait till she's done for the day- her night feeding is 9:00 or so and shes out for five hours. With my first babies I did pump and dump- he would get breastmilk I had stocked up in the fridge/freezer and I pumped the tainted milk so my body wouldn't be missing that production.

After 9 months of not a single adult beverage, it's a personal choice and not a terrible one at that- to induge a bit from time to time. If you aren't ok with it, don't do it. At least in our 'madness' we aren't risking our babies health.

Victoria - posted on 07/20/2009

As a soon to be mom (due mid Spetember) I have been reading everythinig I cn get my hands on and asking questions of anyone who will listen. The basic result on the "drinking while nursing" debate has been this: ITS FINE TO NURSE AS LONG AS YOU HAVE ONLY HAD ONE OR TWO OVER THE EVENING. Your body filters out most of the impurities in your milk anyway. My OBGYN told me quite plainly that having a beer or glass of wine with dinner will actually HELP with the evening/night feedings.
As with anything, be responsible. Your little one has only you to rely on for protection.
Personally, I plan to resume my normal practice of a glass of wine with dinner or in the evening a few times a week. Not everynight, but within moderation there is no harm. Momma's gotta enjoy life too!!!!!

Tricia - posted on 07/19/2009

Vehemently disagreeing!!! Smoking while you are preggers is very, very bad for your baby. Smoking near your baby is very, very bad for your baby. Everyone is in agreement over those facts. If you smoke while pregnant or in the presence of your infant, you are intentionally making a decision that you know can seriously damage your infant. Yeah, it's a personal choice, but nobody can argue that it's a responsible one.

On the flip side, the experts agree that having a drink will not impact your milk supply negatively. The experts also agree that if you get drunk, you shouldn't feed your baby while you're drunk, but there's no need to pump and dump. You can pump to keep your boobs from hurting while you're drunk, but you don't have to and there's no advantage to doing so.

As for me, throwing out my milk makes me cry. Even when it's been forgotten on the counter overnight (silly husband) so it's not safe. I wouldn't pump and dump, just because it would make me too sad. But then, I don't usually have more than 1 drink in a sitting anyways.

Ashley - posted on 07/19/2009

I am absolutely not trying to start some big debate but I have to disagree with the last entry. There is a huge difference between smoking while pregnant and pumping and dumping. Anything you do while pregnant is going to dramatically effect the development and well being of the baby. Drinking a little and then disposing of the milk that has alcohol in it until your milk is back to normal will do nothing to effect your baby. You could ask any health professional and they would say the same thing.

Samantha - posted on 07/19/2009

i was in babies r us the other day, and they have strips to test if there is alcohol in your breast milk...it's a personal choice...it's like smoking while pregnant, it may not be the best thing to do, but it's a personal choice. and if the alcohol is staying in your body to where it is going to affect the child, don't you think 'pumping and dumping' is better than not doing anything?

Tara - posted on 07/18/2009

I am a nursing student as well as a mother. I just finished a course on lactation and breastfeeding. In the course we learned that breast milk is naturally filtered for the infants protection. If you have a drink or two there is no need to pump and dump as the amount of alcohol in your breast milk will be approximatly 3% of what your blood alcohol is. This doesn't make it safe to drink heavily but a social drink is not a big deal.

Samantha - posted on 07/18/2009

i drink wine after shes gone to bed once in a while, and she doesnt nurse again til the am. so i dont see anything wrong with that. but if i have a night out, i pump and dump. and i know theres nothing wrong with that. the alcohol is gone out of my system and not going into hers. i am a person too, not a prisoner.

Cyrese - posted on 07/18/2009

I haven't had more than a few sips of wine since having my little girl 6 months ago, but I am okay with the idea of pump and dump or waiting a few hours before BF your baby. I don't think it's crazy or selfish. Mommy needs Mommy time!

Allisson - posted on 07/18/2009

As long as there is plenty of milk in the fridge or freezer, your baby will never know the difference. Special occasions come up and the beauty of pumping allows a breastfeeeding mom the luxury of being able to participate. The only time this becomes an issue is when a mom is consuming alcohol to excess.

Ashley - posted on 07/18/2009

Of course you don't want to be getting drunk all the time, for many reasons besides just being healthy for bfing. And let's be honest, who has time. But if there's a special event or reason for celebration, I think any pediatrician would tell you it's perfectly fine. There are actually strips you can buy at the drug store to test if there's any alcohol in your milk. Once it's out of your blood stream, your body is back to normal. It is a big pain, I've only done it once when my sister graduated and wanted me to celebrate with her. Mom has to have fun nights too. And I've always heard from doctors and lactation consultants that it's ok to have 1 after you feed and it will not effect the baby.

Jessica - posted on 07/18/2009

I agree with the previous poster. I asked my pediatrician about how long I should wait before breastfeeding my daughter after having a couple of drinks. I had not had a single drop of alcohol in over a year and I was going on vacation and deserved to unwind. I pumped enough milk that my husband could feed her my breastmilk safely. Then so that I wouldn't "explode" and/or feed my daughter milk with alcohol in it, I pumped and dumped until the next morning. Try not to judge other people so harshly. We all have different views and opinions on what is best. The main thing is making sure our children are healthy and happy. Sometimes moms need to make sure they are healthy and happy first.

T - posted on 07/17/2009

I agree with all the responses...come on...9 months or at least 8 with absolutely no alcohol and then another year of nursing and you're saying no alcohol! I nice nightcap of wine after my shower definitely relaxes me after a long day of entertaining my daughter and nipple soreness! PA---LEASE! Although we all love our children and recognize our blessings, you can't forget about yourself in the process. That is detrimental to not only yourself, but your child (if you're cranky and uptight), and your marriage/partner! You have to let loose but responsibly here and there. No one is saying go to a bar every day but social drinks here and there are good. My midwife even suggested a glass of wine during my delivery!!! LET LOOSE LADY!

Johnny - posted on 07/17/2009

One of the pieces of advice I received from my lactation consultant, was to drink beer (in moderation) to increase breast milk supply. As long as you limit yourself to a drink or two, there is no danger to your baby. This is just another hurdle put in the way of women who want to stick with breastfeeding. The idea that, "if you really care about your child you will not do anything to enjoy your own life". Hogwash! Children benefit from happy breastfeeding mommies.

Check out this information provided by the La Leche League about alcohol & breastfeeding. It quotes the AAP & Dr. Jack Newman:

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/alcohol.html

Dana - posted on 07/17/2009

I haven't had a glass of wine, a beer (and I live by one of the best micro brewery's in the world) or a glass of Bailey's Irish Cream, which I enjoy in the winter, in 20 months. I think after reading all these posts, I deserve one. Thanks Ladies, I'm drinking one for the team!!

Amy - posted on 07/17/2009

I went out with my boyfriend and had a few cocktails, bubby was left with my mum for the night. I didn't get drunk but still pumped and dumped to be on the safe side. I also planned for it and had enough milk stored to feed him for 24hrs. I am glad we went out for the night, it gave us some time to let our hair down and my mum got priceless bonding time with bubby.

I agree completely with Nicole. No matter what anyone says, it is not selfish to have some 'me time' occasionally. Mothers don't need anymore guilt or pressure put on them.

Natalie - posted on 07/17/2009

I guess the new research says if you are under the legal limit. .08 is Wisconsin then you are okay to BF. Which is nice to know as we give up everything for our babies... nice to know we can take a second (or two) for us once in a while.

Chalanda - posted on 07/17/2009

I have interest in it (lol) but gonna wait until i am finished breastfeeding. I don't know how safe that can be, but its always good to acquire more information and points of views from others.

Teresa - posted on 07/17/2009

Responding before reading other responses here... The only good of pumping and dumping is to keep up your supply. It doesn't make the alcohol get out of your system any faster. I have heard that if you can feel the effects of the alcohol then your baby can too. Doesn't make a difference to me though cuz I don't drink alcohol at all. Haven't in 10 years or more. I have no interest in it. :)

Nicole - posted on 07/17/2009

Oh, I see one of the lasts posters that said drinking was selfish, in her opinion, deleted her post, which my last reply was in response to... but, my posts still stand. LOL! :-)

Nicole - posted on 07/17/2009

Hey if you can go 4-6 years of being pregnant and/or breastfeeding without having a drop of alcohol, more power to you!

As I said for me, I needed a little "selfish me time" to help be a better mom to my kids over all. Every time I have a glass of wine and get a massage (which since my daughter was born 14 weeks ago I have had 2 massages - mother's day and my b-day), I come back feeling SO refreshed and relaxed.

So for this full time working mother of a 2.5 year old and almost 15 week old who are both nursing strong, a drink or two over the course of the evening every now and then works wonders!!! And, I still believe I am being a great mommy!!!!

Vanessa - posted on 07/17/2009

There is no need to pump and dump unless like pp said you want to keep up your supply...
Wine is good for you and if you have only a little it is OK to breastfeed. Like Nicole I have beer which definitely helps with the supply (If I dont have it my supply gets much lower)
I wait until she has her last feeding at night and then have a glass of wine which means she wont feed for 6 hrs or so. but alcohol does leave your blood and milk within 1-2 hrs depending on your metabolism and if you ate with the alcohol.

Paige - posted on 07/17/2009

You don't have to pump and dump if you have a drink. The alcohol gets filtered out of your breastmilk just as it does your blood. Just wait a few hours after a drink and you and your baby will be fine.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle...

Nicole - posted on 07/17/2009

I have been breastfeeding for 2.5 yrs. now and will likely be breastfeeding for at least 1 more year, if not two. That is if my 14week old daughter nurses as long as her 2.5 yr old brother. It's actually more likely that I will be breastfeeding for another 2-3 years. So add that to the time I was pregnant and that is a total of 4-6 years YEARS of either being pregnant and/or breastfeeding.



SO.... sorry, but I am going to have a drink or two or three or more!!!! I don't mean in a night, but I am just saying I am going to go head and drink, but still give my child the very best thing possible.... breast milk.

My children's pedi actually said he advises his mom's to have a drink, preferably red wine, from time to time. He said it's good for mom's to relax so they can be better mom's. It's important to have some "you" time to unwind and de-stress. Then red wine has benefits, that is if you only have a small amount, an even smaller amount would/will go to the baby. He said have 1-2 glasses sipped over a few hours over the course of an evening, like with dinner too. When I do this he said no need to pump and dump. Again, the small amount of alcohol that would actually go to the baby is actually beneficial... if any should even make it.



Then he said if I did have more... say I went to a party or something... then I shouldn't nurse while I felt buzzed. He said it was up to me and how my supply is. If I needed to not nurse for 8 hours or more because of how much I drank, pump and dump to ensure my supply stays up. Not to actually get the alcohol out of the breast milk. It's like blood it goes in and goes out. The pumping and dumping again is strictly to keep supply up. In the mean time give a bottle with breast milk or formula.



I personally often have a glass of wine or a beer (dark beer and I swear my supply gets a bump up from the beer) every other night or so. I only usually have 1 maybe once a week 2 glasses over the course of about 4-5 hours. I nurse like normal. I have never had the need to pump and dump.



Last year when I went to my best friends memorial service after he passed I did drink some scotch and got a little snookered... but I was only breastfeeding my toddler son then and he was able to go the entire night without nursing as he was night weaned by then and my supply was use to that. So I didn't do anything but sleep when I got home.



Again, I think it is important to do things in moderation and still have a life. Again, I am committed to doing child-led weaning and thus giving my kids the best, breast milk, for a very long time. But, for me, for sanity sake I have to have some fun too and do partake from time to time in moderation. Happy mom, happy family!